2025 Politics and Society Network
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The European Politics and Society Network is designed to teach key Christian political, legal, and social leaders how to be salt and light through effectively communicating Christ’s character in their respective contexts. Applicants should be those who are working in the areas of politics, law, campaigning, or community action. Both seasoned lawyers, activists, and campaigners and aspirants will benefit from the input of leading thinkers and practitioners.
Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
Theme for 2025
The idea that followers of Jesus would be the leading social reformers in their nation was a core assumption for UK evangelicals in the nineteenth century. What would it mean to recapture this vision in the twenty-first century, and what would a Christian leader in politics or public life look like? What does it take to be a Christian who can be an influence on public life and make an impact on a local, regional or national scale? Over the course of four sessions we will look to help network members:
- Develop an evangelical ‘character’ and ‘mind’ to engage and shape politics and/or the public square.
- Understand why we are called to be social reformers, and how we can make an impact.
- Put in place the things required to remain faithful over the long run.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "I thoroughly enjoyed (am still enjoying) the Politics and Society Network. Listening to the professional lectures as well as interacting with the other students was extremely informative and enlightening and has undeniably equipped me to go back home and help the leadership of our organization navigate the challenging path that our current political society has put us on. There are so many aspects of politics that have an influence on the evangelical community that, without being equipped with knowledge and shared experiences, will leave the Christians without a voice."
- Nikolaos Niavradakis, Executive Assistant and Operations Manager of Hellenic Ministries, Greece - "I can’t express enough what a blessing the Forum has been and what a heaven it has been for my spiritual maturity and for networking. I am delighted to connect with Christians from all over the world, to learn from them, to make new friends, to pray, and to dream big dreams. I have made so many connections with people in the Politics and Society Network and have already made plans to train volunteers and organize camps."
- Khatuna Liluashvili, Youth for Christ Board Member, Georgia - "Being at the European Leadership Forum is so encouraging, helpful, and uplifting. Thanks to the Politics and Society Network I have gained knowledge and spoken with experienced people to have a better understanding of what my ministry is about. I am learning how to have courage, how to understand social issues, how to talk with others about very complex problems like war or abortion, and how to raise a voice in our countries and spread the name of the Lord."
- Marta Sobiech-Buzala, Social Scientist, Poland
Applicants should be those who are working in areas of politics, campaigning, or community action. Both seasoned campaigners and aspirant politicians will benefit from the input of leading thinkers and practitioners.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Kay Carter is the Joint Chief Executive of Christianity Explored Ministries, where she is primarily responsible for producing video-based courses which introduce people to Jesus through the pages of Scripture. She previously worked at Tyndale House, a biblical research institute, heading up… Read more
Ross Hendry serves as CEO of CARE since his appointment in November 2021. Prior to joining CARE, he was the CEO of Spurgeons', one of the UK’s largest children’s charities. He has also served as Deputy CEO at the office for the Children’s Commissioner in England and as Head of Public Policy… Read more
David McIlroy is a practising barrister based in London in the UK. He serves on the editorial board of Law & Justice, teaches the Mission of Justice and the Theology of Law course at Spurgeon’s College, and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Notre Dame (USA) in England. He is… Read more
David Sandifer was born and raised in France, of American parents. He holds a Ph.D. in history, from the University of Cambridge (2014). He spent 20 years in pastoral ministry in the U.S. and Australia, and also worked for a Christian public advocacy organisation in Australia, where he co-… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 18 May
What is power? What does political and social power look like? How should disciples of Christ view and use power? This session will explore how the ideas of subsidiarity and sphere sovereignty can help us to identify and shape healthy power structures. We will discuss how, as Christians, we can use our own power for good and not use it to cause harm and to discuss what we should do in the face of power that is doing harm.
In this session, more time will be given over to group discussion as we consider what it means to use our power in the public square for God’s glory and the good of others.
Monday, 19 May
With so many channels of communication open to us, it can be hard to know which to use and how best to use them. This session will look at crafting your message for maximum impact and choosing the right medium to reach the people who matter to you.
In this session, more time will be given over to group discussion as we consider what it means to communicate persuasively in the public square.
Tuesday, 20 May
What does it take to be a faithful Christian in the public square? In the first half of the 19th century, God used William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect, along with other Evangelicals, to help bring about profound cultural and social change in Britain--including the abolition of slavery. What lessons can we learn from these leaders about how we engage in public life? This session will suggest five key characteristics from the examples of these 19th-century Evangelicals and explore what we can learn from them as we seek to be salt and light in the world around us today.
In this session, more time will be given over to group discussion as we consider what it means to work towards our goal with aim and focus and to be strategic through being clear about the steps needed to reach that goal.
Wednesday, 21 May
Democracy is under threat from conflict - both militarily and through agent provocateurs instigating civil unrest and disrupting democratic institutions. The Bible does not prescribe any one political system, but that is not to say that there are some systems that facilitate religious freedom, freedom of speech, etc. in ways that the gospel can be proclaimed more easily and become an influence in public life and leadership. How should we respond to threats of democracy as followers of Christ?
In this session, more time will be given over to group discussion as we consider political systems and parties, religious freedom, and democracy from a biblical worldview.